Rapid bowling ball return apparatus



Aug. 9, 1966 E. c. WEBB RAPID BOWLING BALL RETURN APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 iled Feb. 11, 1963 INVENTOR.

[PA/37 C. WEBB "4/4 RAPID BOWLING BALL RETURN APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EPA 37 6. W585 Aug. 9, 1966 c. WEBB RAPID BOWLING BALL RETURN APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 11, 1965 INVENTOR. I 594 537 :2 WEBB Arr-wave? Aug. 9, 1966 E. c. WEBB RAPID BOWLING BALL RETURN APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 11, 1965 JNVENTOR! 504 557 4 WEBB 7// 71f 4770/?5) United States Patent 3,265,391 RAPID BOWLING BALL RETURN APPARATUS Ernest C. Webb, Bay Village, Ohio, assignor to Lakewood Manufacturing Company, Westlake, Ohio, a corportion of ()hio Filed Feb. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 257,651

9 Claims. (Cl. 27349) This invention relates to a bowling ball return apparatus, and more particularly to a gun-type propelling mechanism which accelerates a bowling ball for a rapid return to the approach area of a bowling alley.

Modern bowling lanes are equipped with high-speed automatic pin-spotting equipment which has considerably reduced the time required to clear the pin deck and spot the pins. Included in this equipment is a delivery mechanism for feeding a bowling ball to a ball return run.

The ball return run is a trough-like guideway and normally comprises an elevated portion residing in the pit area, a sloped portion leading downwardly therefrom, and a horizontal portion which extends to the approach area of each alley. The bowling ball is placed on the elevated portion whereupon it rolls down the sloped portion to gain suflicient kinetic energy to carry it to the approach area.

Thus, the delivery mechanism must elevate the ball from the pit floor to the elevated portion of the ball return run. Consequently, the time required to elevate the bowling ball is one part of the total time required to return the ball to the approach area. One means by which the total ball return time may be reduced would be to eliminate the need to elevate the bowling ball.

The remaining portion of the total time required to return the ball to the approach area, is the time required for the bowling ball to traverse the remaining length of the ball return run. It should be evident then that any means by which the ball may be accelerated would be a desirable feature.

Thus, the primary objects of the present invention include:

To provide a propelling mechanism which forcibly propels a bowling ball along the return run whereby the time required for the ball to traverse the return run is considerably reduced;

To provide a propelling mechanism which may be used with a horizontal ball return run thereby eliminating the need of a mechanism for elevating the bowling balls;

To provide a propelling mechanism which may be used in conjunction with the delivery mechanism of any of the presently operated automatic pin-spotting equipment;

To provide a propelling mechanism which forcibly propels a bowling ball without marring its surface; and

To provide a propelling mechanism which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the present bowling ball propelling mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1, illustrating the internal construction of the present bowling ball propelling mechanism;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are elevation views, partly in cross section, illustrating one arrangement of the present bowling ball propelling mechanism as used with a horizontal ball return run;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the control circuits of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view, partly in cross section, illustrating a typical bowling alley;

"ice

FIG. 7 is an elevation view, partly in cross section, illustrating the present bowling ball propelling mechanism as used with a conventional sloped ball return run;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the control circuits of the arrangement shown in FIG 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are elevation views, partly in cross section, illustrating an alternative arrangement of the present bowling ball propelling mechanism as used with a horizontal ball return run; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the control circuits of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there is illustrated a gun-type propelling mechanism generally designated by the numeral 10. The propelling mechanism 10 comprises a propelled portion 12 and a propelling portion 14.

The propelled portion 12 comprises a driven shaft 16 having a projecting end portion 18 to which a ball engaging member 20 is secured. The ball engaging member 20 comprises a yoke 22 within which a cylindrical member 24 is rotatably secured. The cylindrical member 24 preferably is formed from resilient material such as rubber or the like and functions to forcibly push a bowling ball 26 (shown in phantom outline) without marring its surface.

The propelling portion 14 comprises an elongated housing 28 whose interior is compartmented into an arming section 30, a triggering section 32 and a driving section 34. These sections are aligned in order from left to right in FIG. 2. i

The arming section 30 includes a fluid-tight chamber 36 which is defined by a partition 38 and a piston 40 whose peripheral edge 42 is in fluid-tight sliding engagement with the inner surface 44 of the arming section 30 of the housing 28.

An arming shaft 46, secured at one end to the piston 40, extends forwardly therefrom through a bore 48 in the partition 38 into the triggering section 32. The arming shaft 46 is in fluid-tight sliding engagement with the bore 48 in order to maintain the fluid-tightness of the chamber 36. The arming shaft 46 is provided with a collar 49 which limits the travel of the arming shaft 46.

Conduit means 50, preferably comprising flexible tubing, is secured to the housing 28 and serves to introduce and withdraw a working fluid from the chamber 36. The conduit 50 extends from the housing 28 to a source of working fluid communicated by conduit 52. The working fluid preferably comprises compressed air. A twoway valve 54 is provided in the conduit 50. The two-way valve has a first position which permits the introduction of the working fluid into the chamber 36 to push the piston 40 along with the arming shaft 46 to the left of FIG. 2; and a second position which vents the working fluid from the chamber 36 through a vent conduit 56.

A return spring 58, preferably comprising a helical spring, is interposed between an end wall of the housing 28 and the piston 40. The return spring 58 serves to bias the piston 40 and the arming shaft 46 in the position shown in FIG. 2 when the working fluid is vented from the chamber 36.

Within the triggering section 32 there is disposed an arming shaft end portion 62 and a driven shaft end portion 64. The shafts 16 and 46 preferably are axially aligned with the central axis of the housing 28. The driven shaft 16 extends from the triggering section 32 through the driving section 34 and beyond an end wall 65 of the housing 28.

The driven shaft end portion 64 is provided with a radially extending flange 66 having a shoulder 68 and a flange cam surface 69.

The arming shaft end portion 62 is provided with a releasable connecting means 70 preferably comprising gripping fingers 72 each of which is pivotally connected to the end portion 62 as at 74. Each gripping finger 72 includes finger cam surfaces 76, 78 :at the ends thereof. The finger cam surface 76 is adapted to engage the flange cam surface 69 so that the gripping fingers '72 may ride over the radial flange 66 to engage the shoulder 63 of the flange 66 in the manner illustrated.

A collar 80 is secured to the inner surface 44 of the housing 28 and includes a rearwardly sloped face 82. The collar 30 is so positioned whereby the finger cam surfaces 78 may engage the sloped face 82 to spread the fingers 72 in the manner illustrated in phantom outline in FIG. 2.

Each gripping finger 72 is provided with a spring 84 secured thereto adjacent to the finger cam surface 78. The springs 84 are engaged with the arming shaft 86 and serve to bias the gripping fingers 72 into a gripping position.

Within the driving section 34 there is disposed a compressible spring means 86, surrounding the driven shaft 16, which is engaged at one end with a second partition 88 and at the other end with a hub 90 which is secured to the driven shaft 16. A pad 92 of resilient material is interposed between the hub 90 and the end wall 65 and serves to absorb the impact of the hub 90.

The operation of the present propelling mechanism will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG, 2, the propelling mechanism 10 is in a ready to be armed condition, i.e., the gripping fingers 72 are engaged on the shoulder 68 of the flange 66 and hence the arming shaft 46 is connected to the driven shaft 16. By introducing working fluid into the chamber 36 by way of the conduit means 50, the increased pressure within the chamber 36 will force the piston 40 to the left into the position indicated in phantom outline and designated by the numeral 40'. At the same time, the arming shaft 46 and the driven shaft 16 will also be forced to the left of FIG. 2. The hub 90 will move with the driven shaft 16 to compress the spring means 86. The hub and spring means are shown in phantom outline in their extreme left position and designated by the numerals 90 and 86, respectively.

As the releasable connecting means 76 moves to the left, thte finger cam surfaces 78 of the gripping fingers 72 will engage the sloped surface 82 of the collar 80. At this time, the gripping fingers '72 will be spread apart to release the driven shaft 16 as illustrated in phantom outline. The compressed spring means 86 will then drive the driven shaft 16 forwardly whereby the ball engaging member will accelerate the bowling ball 26.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bowling ball propelling mechanism which may be used with a horizontal ball return run thereby eliminating the need of a mechanism for elevating the bowling balls. To this end, reference is directed to FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein the present bowling ball propelling mechanism 10 is shown pivotally mounted at one end on a deck 94 by means of pivot means 96. The deck 94 is shown disposed externally of a kickback 98 which separates the pit area of each bowling alley. Illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3 is a cushion or backstop 100, a pin deck 102, a kickback plate 104 and a pit floor 106. These elements are hidden behind the kickback 98 and are herein illustrated to clarify the position of the present bowling ball propelling mechanism 10 with respect to the pit area of a bowling alley.

To communicate the bowling ball from the pit floor 106 to the deck 94, a ball door 108 is provided in the kickback 98 which is pivotally mounted thereon. A door operating mechanism 110 is used to swing the ball door 108 outwardly from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The pit floor 106 comprises a moving belt which transports a bowling ball 112 along the backstop to the door 108. The door 108 is opened in response to the impact of the bowling ball 112 and thus allows the 4. bowling ball 112 to pass therethrough. A more complete description of a typical ball door arrangement may be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,012,782.

The deck 94 includes a ball return run 114 which includes a sloped portion 116 disposed adjacent to the ball.

door 168. In the sloped portion 116 there is provided a first switch means 118 which is operable by the passage of the bowling ball 112.

At the end of the sloped portion 116 there is provided a support means 120 for yieldably supporting the bowling ball 112. The support means 120 preferably comprises a tongue member 122 which projects through the ball return run 114. The tongue member 122 is pivotally supported at its lower end by means of a rod 124 and is biased in the up position shown in FIG. 3 bymeans of a spring member 126. The spring member 126 preferably is of such strength whereby it will support the bowling ball 112 but will yield when the ball 122 is propelled by the bowling ball propelling mechanism 10. Also at the end of the sloped portion 116, there is provided a pair of strips 129, only one being visible here, formed from rubber or the like. The strips 129 are so positioned on the ball return run 114 that the bowling ball 112 will be engaged therewith when in the position illustrated in FIG. 4. The purpose of the strips 129 will become apparent later in the specification when the operation of this embodiment is discussed.

Forwardly of the support means 120 is positioned a second switch means 128 which also is operable by the passage of the bowling ball 112.

A unitary raising and lowering means 131) is also provided for raising the propelling mechanism 10 out of the path of the bowling ball 112 and for lowering the propelling mechanism 11) whereby the cylindrical member 24 of the ball engaging member 20 is engaged with the bowling ball 112 at a point 131 which preferably is above tthe center of the ball 112. The unitary raising and lowering means 139 preferably comprises a fluid-operated cylinder-and-piston assembly which includes an operating cylinder 132 rigidly secured to an end wall 133 and a piston shaft 134 extending therefrom. The piston shaft 134 is pivotally secured through a pivotal stub shaft 136 to the propelling mechanism 10. The pivotal stub shaft 136 provides the proper free play required in the connection of the piston shaft 134 and the propelling mechanism 10. The operating cylinder 132 has provided therein a spring (not shown) which pulls the piston shaft 134 into the operating cylinder 132 and hence maintains the propelling mechanism 10 in the normally raised position illustrated in FIG. 3. 7

Reference is now directed to FIG. 5 wherein the pneumatic and electrical control circuits are schematically illustrated.

The pneumatic control circuit is arranged as follows. The conduit 51) extends from the chamber 36 (FIG. 2) of the propelling mechanism 10 to the two-way valve 54. The conduit 52 extends between the two-way valve 54 and a source of working fluid schematically represented by a box 138. The operating cylinder 132 of the unitary raising and lowering means includes a conduit 140 which extends from the upper end of the cylinder 132 to be connected into the conduit 50.

As hereinbefore stated, the operating cylinder 132 includes therein a spring 142, acting on a piston 144 connected tothe piston shaft 134, which pulls the piston shaft 134 into the operating cylinder 132. Hence, the propelling mechanism 111 is maintained in the normally raised position illustrated in FIG. 3.

It will be noted in FIG. 5, that the two-way valve 54 is operated by a relay 146 which comprises a coil 148 and a core 151). The core 156 preferably is spring-loaded whereby the two-way valve 54 is maintained in a venting condition, i.e., conduits 50 and 140 communicate with the vent conduit 56.

First switch means 118 is a normally open limit switch which is closed by the passage of a bowling ball. When the first switch means 118 is closed, a holding circuit 152 is activated which comprises first and second pairs of normally open holding contacts 154, 156. It should be noted that the holding circuit 152 Will remain activated even though the first switch means is only momentarily closed. This should be evident since the second switch means 128, being a normally closed limit switch, maintains a current flow to the holding circuit 152.

The activation of the holding circuit 152 will cause the relay 146 to open the two-way valve 54 and thereby communicate working fluid to the propelling mechanism for arming it and to the operating cylinder 132 for lowering the propelling mechanism 10 into engagement with the bowling ball which is to he returned next.

When the propelling mechanism 10 is discharged, the bowling ball will open the second switch means 128 thereby deactivating the holding circuit 152. At this time, the relay 146 will be deenergized so that the two-way valve 54 will be positioned to vent the working fluid from the propelling mechanism 10 and the operating cylinder 132 by way of the vent conduit 56. Hence, the spring member 142 will raise the propelling mechanism out of the path of the next to be returned bowling ball.

The sequence of operation of the propelling mechanism 10 will now be described With reference to FIGS. 3-5. In FIG. 3, the propelling mechanism 10 is shown in its normally raised position. When the ball door 108 opens, the bowling ball 112 rolls through and onto the sloped portion 116 of the ball return run 114. The bowling ball 112 then rolls forward to engage and depress the tongue member 122 while at the same time the ball door 108 closes (see FIG. 4).

When the bowling ball 122 closes switch means 118 the following sequence of events occurs. The working fluid is introduced into the chamber 36 (see FIG. 2) and into the operating cylinder 132 so that the propelling mechanism 10 is lowered by the extension of the piston shaft 134 of the means 130. As the propelling mechanism 10 reaches the position shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical member 24 is engaged with the ball 112 at 131 whereupon it is released to accelerate the ball 112 along the ball return run 114.

When the propelling mechanism is discharged, it will impart to the bowling ball 112 a clockwise spin (as viewed in FIG. 4) which is in the direction of its roll along the ball return run 114. The clockwise spin, given to the ball 112, is the result of the combined actions of: (1), the above center push, at point 131, of the ball 112; and (2), the frictional contact of the ball 112 with the rubber strips 129.

As the ball 112 passes over and opens the second switch means 128, the operating cylinder 132 and the chamber 36 (see FIG. 2) are exhausted whereupon the spring 142 raises the propelling mechanism 10 into the position shown in FIG. 3. The apparatus is now ready to receive the next to be returned bowling ball.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bowling ball propelling mechanism which may be used in conjunction with the delivery mechanism of any of the presently operated automatic pin-spotting equipment. To this end, reference is directed to FIG. 6 wherein there is illustrated a typical modern bowling alley generally designated by the numeral 158. The bowling alley 158 comprises a pit area 160 and an approach area 162 at the ends thereof. In the pit area 160 there is illustrated a set of ten pins 164 shown standing on a pin deck 166. Behind the pin deck 166 is a pit floor 168 which is usually mechanized and serves to convey the pins 164 to the automatic pin-spotting equipment (not shown). A cushion 170 is also provided to absorb the impact of the bowling ball therewith. A curtain 172 cooperates with the cushion 170 to deflect the flying ten pins 164 onto the pit floor 168. Behind the cushion there is schematically illustrated a delivery mechanism 174 which serves to elevate a bowling ball 176 to a ball return run 178.

As can be seen the ball return run 178 comprises an elevated portion 180 which resides in the pit area 160, a sloped portion 182 which extends downwardly from the elevated portion 180 and a horizontal portion 184 which extends forwardly to the approach area 162. At the juncture of the elevated portion 180 and the sloped portion 182 there is formed a lip 186.

Thus, the delivery mechanism 174 elevates the bowling ball 176 from the pit floor 168 and delivers it to the elevated portion 180 of the ball return run 178 with sufficient force to carry it forward onto the sloped portion 182. At this point the bowling ball rolls down the sloped portion 182 to gain sufficient kinetic energy to carry it along the horizontal portion 184 and to the approach area 162.

In FIG. 7, the propelling mechanism 10 is shown being used in conjunction with the typical ball return run 178. Corresponding numerals will be used to identify corresponding parts already described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

The sloped portion 182 is provided with the switch means 118 and the support means'12t) arranged in a manner which will be described later in the specification. Also, the sloped portion 182 is provided with a pair of strips 185, only one being visible here, formed from rubber or the like. The strips 185 are so positioned on the sloped portion 182 whereby the ball 176 will be engaged therewith when in the position illustrated in FIG. 7. The strips 185 perform the same function that the strips 129 perform in the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In this arrangement, the tongue member 122 of the support means 126 include a cup portion 187 within which is mounted the switch means 118. As can be seen, the bowling ball 17 6 is supported by the tongue member 122 at the lip 186. In this supported position, the bowling ball 17 6 has closed the switch means 118.

Two other positions of the tongue member 122 are illustrated, that is, the raised position indicated by 122' and the lowered position indicated by 122". When the bowling ball is rolling on the elevated portion 180 as indicated at 176', the tongue member 122 is in the raised position 122' and the switch means 118 is open. When the bowling ball is supported by the tongue member 122, as at 176, the switch means 118 is closed. At one point after the bowling ball has been propelled by the propelling mechanism 10, the bowling ball will be in the position indicated at 176". In this position the tongue member is depressed into the sloped portion 185, as at 122", and the bowling ball 176" no longer is engaged with the switch means 118.

In this arrangement the propelling mechanism 10 is pivotally supported above the elevated portion 180 by means of a hinge connection 188 which is rigidly supported by the support structure of the automatic pinspotting equipment (not shown). Similarly, a raising means 190 comprising a spring member 192 connnects the housing 28 to the support structure of the automatic pin-spotting equipment (not shown). The spring 192 functions to raise the propelling mechanism 10 out of the path of the next to be returned bowling ball.

The propelling mechanism is shown in its normally raised position in phantom outline and is designated by the numeral 10'. All numerals heretofore associated with the propelling mechanism 10 will be primed numerals when referring to the elevated position of the propelling mechanism 10.

In this arrangement it is desirable to provide cam means 194 (only one shown) which are rigidly supported to the above-mentioned support structure on either side of the driven shaft 16. The yoke 22 is provided with a cam follower member 196 extending thereabove. The cam means 194 and the cam follower 196 cooperate to function as arneans forlowering the propelling mechanism in a manner which will now be described. When the propelling mechanism 11; is raised, the cam follower 196 engages the cam means 194. When the drive shaft 16' is pulled into the housing 28', in the manner heretofore described, a downward force is produced by the engagement of the cam follower 1% with the cam means 194. Hence, as the shaft 16 is pulled inwardly, the yoke 22' is forced to follow the path of the cam means 194 to position the propelling mechanism 1b in engagement with the bowling ball 176 preferably at a point, indicated at 198, which is above the center of the ball 176.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 8 wherein the pneumatic and electrical control circuits and the mechanical control structure are schematically illustrated.

The pneumatic control circuit is arranged as follows. The conduit 50 extends from the chamber 36 (see FIG. 2) of the propelling mechanism 1% to the two way valve 54. The conduit 52 extends between the two-way valve 54 and a source of Working fluid schematically represented by the box 138.

The electrical control circuit of this embodiment includes only the relay 146 and the switch means 118.

The mechanical control structure comprises the spring member 192, the cam means 194 and the cam follower 196.

When a bowling ball closes the switch means 118, the relay 146 is energized whereupon the two-way valve 54 will be opened so that it communicates working fluid to the propelling mechanism 11 for arming it, as hereinbefore described. While the propelling mechanism 10 is being armed, the cam follower 196 and the cam means 194 will lower the propelling mechanism 19 into alignment with the bowling ball 176. Note that the spring member 192 is extended at the same time.

When the propelling mechanism 111 is discharged, the bowling ball 176 will be given a clockwise spin (-as viewed in FIG. 7) which is in the direction of its roll along the ball return run 178. The clockwise spin of the ball 176 is the result of the combined actions of: (1), the above center push at point 198; and (2), the frictional contact of the ball 176 with the rubber strips 185.

When the propelling mechanism 10 is discharged, the propelled bowling ball will be disengaged from and thereby open the switch means 118 whereupon the relay 146 will be deenergized so that the two-way valve 54 will be positioned to vent the working fluid from the propelling mechanism by way of the vent conduit 56.

It should be noted that the moment the propelling mechanism is discharged, the cam follower 196 will no longer be engaged with the cam means 194. Hence, the spring member 192 will immediately raise the propelling mechanism 10 to the normally raised position illustrated in FIG. 3.

The sequence of operation of this embodiment will now I be described. The switch means 118, when closed by the ball 176, will cause the propelling mechanism 111 to be armed and simultaneously lowered. When the propelling mechanism .reaches the position indicated at 10, it discharges and accelerates the ball 176 down the sloped portion 196 and toward the approach area 162 (see FIG. 6). At the same time the spring member 192 will raise the propelling mechanism 10 so that the apparatus is ready to receive the next to be returned bowling ball.

An alternative arrangement of the propelling mechanism 10, as used with a horizontal ball return run, is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, a kickback 198 is provided with an opening 200 which is covered by means of a ball door 202. The ball door 202 is slideably mounted on rods 204 so that it may be elevated, as for example, by means of elevating means 206, into the position indicated in phantOm outline at 2112'. When a bowling ball 2118 rolls along a backstop 216 (both shown in phantom outline) and engages the ball door 202, the elevating means 2116 is activated to raise the ball door 2622 and thereby perm-it the bowling ball 20% to roll onto a horizontal ball return run 212.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the support member is mounted beneath the ball return run 212. The switch means 118 is mounted within the cup portion 187 of the support member 122. The spring means :126 biases the tongue member 122 upwardly so that an end port-ion 123 thereof projects above the 'ball return run 212. Thus, when the bowling ball 2118 rolls onto the ball return run 212, it will engage the end portion 123 of the tongue member 122 and depress it into the position shown in phantom outline in FIG. 10. Notice, however, that the end portion 123 of tongue member 122 is positioned to the right of the center of the bowling ball 208. Hence, after the initial fall of the bowling ball 208 is absorbed by the spring means 126, the support means 121) will urge the bowling 'ball 2418 into engagement with the ball engaging member 24.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the propelling mechanism 10 is rigidly supported above the ball return run 212 by means of support members 2114. The propelling mechanism 141 preferably is supported at a level wherein the ball engaging member 24 engages the bowling ball 2% at a point 216 which is above the center of the bowling ball 208. As in the other arrangements, the ball return run 212 is provided with strips 218 (only one visible) which preferably are formed from rubber or the like. As hereinbe-fore described, the above center engagement of the ball engaging member 24 cooperates with the strips 2-18 to impart a clock-wise spin (as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10) to the bowling ball 20 8 which is in the direction of its roll along the ball return run 212.

It should be understood at this point, that once the bowling ball 208 is in engagement with the cup portion 187 of the tongue member 122, the switch means 118 will be closed whereby the propelling mechanism 10 is armed. As the propelling mechanism 10 is armed, the ball engaging member 24 will travel to the left (compare FIGS. 9 and 10). As the ball engaging member 24 travels to the left, the support member 120 will urge the bowling ball 2118 to travel along with it. This sequence can be seen when FIGS. 9 and 10 are compared. When the ball 2618 reaches the position shown in FIG. 10, the

- propelling mechanism 10 will be discharged at which point the bowling ball 208 will be propelled along the ball return run 212 to the approach area of the bowling alley.

In FIG. 11 there is illustrated the pneumatic and electrical control circuits used in the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. These circuits are identical to the pneumatic and electrical control circuits illustrated in FIG. 8.

In this arrangement, however, the propelling mechanism 1th is rigidly supported above the ball return run 2 12. Thus, when the bowling ball 208 depresses the tongue member 122, it engages and maintains the switch means 118 closed thereby energizing the relay 1 46 to position the two way valve 54 so as to communicate working fluid to the propelling mechanism 10 by way of the conduits 50 and 5 2. While the propelling mechanism 10 is being armed, the tongue member 122 maintains the bowling ball 2118 engaged with the ball engaging member 24.

When the propelling mechanism 10 discharges, the bowling ball 208 is disengaged from the switch means 118. This opens the switch means 118 so that the relay 146 is deenergized whereupon the two-way valve 54 is positioned to exhaust the working fluid from the pro pelling mechanism 10 by way of conduits 50 and 56.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means;

extrinsic propelling means for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along said guideway means, asid propelling means including a propelling member and a propelled member comprising a unitary structure, said propelling member being pivotally supported above said guideway means, said propelled member being supported by said propelling member for engagement with said bowling ball; and

means operable independently of said bowling ball for raising said extrinsic propelling means out of the path of said bowling ball before said bowling ball is propelled. 2. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for re turning said bowling ball to said approach area;

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means;

extrinsic propelling means for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along said guideway means, said propelling means including -a propelling member and a propelled member comprising a unitary structure, said propelling member being pivotally supported above said guideway means, said propelled member being supported by said propelling member for engagement with said bowling ball;

means operable independently of and before said bowling ball is propelled for raising said extrinsic propelling means out of the path of said bowling ball; and

means for lowering said extrinsic propelling means whereby said propelled member engages said bowling ball. 3. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area;

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means;

extrinsic propelling means for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along said guideway means, said propelling means including a propelling member and a propelled member comprising a unitary structure, said propelling member being pivotally supported above said guideway means, said propelled member being supported by said propelling member for engagement with said bowling ball; and unitary raising and lowering means operable independently of and before said bowling ball is propelled for raising said extrinsic propelling means out of the path of said bowling ball and for lowering said extrinsic propelling means whereby said propelled member engages said bowling ball. 4. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area;

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means;

extrinsic gun-type propelling means having ball engaging means which is retracted into an armed condition and substantially immediately released for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along the said guideway means;

support means for yieldably supporting said bowling ball in alignment with said ball engaging means; and i switch means operable by said bowling ball before it is propelled for arming said propelling means.

5. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area;

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means;

extrinsic gun-type propelling means having ball engaging means which is retractable into an armed condition and releasable for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along the said guideway means;

support means in advance of said propelling means for yieldably supporting said bowling ball in alignment with said ball engaging means;

unit ary raising and lowering means connected to said propelling means for raising said propelling means out of the path of said bowling ball and for lowering said propelling means whereby said ball engaging means may be engaged with said bowling ball;

first switch means operable by said bowling ball before it is propelled for arming said propelling means and for activating said lowering means; and

second switch means operable by said bowling ball after it is propelled for activating asid raising means.

6. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area;

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means;

extrinsic gun-type propelling means having ball engaging means which is retractable into an armed condition and releasable for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along the said guideway means;

support means in advance of said propelling means for yieldably supporting said bowling ball in alignment with said ball engaging means;

means for raising said propelling means out of the path of the next to be returned bowling ball; and

means for lowering said propelling means whereby said propelled member may be engaged with the next to be returned bowling 'ball, said means for lowering said propelling means including cam means rigidly supported above said ball engaging means, and a cam follower secured to said ball engaging means, said cam follower being engaged with said cam means when said propelling means is in a raised position whereby when said propelling means is armed said cam means will guide said ball engaging means over and into alignment with the next to be returned bowling ball.

7. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley,

the combination comprising:

a guideway extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area, said guideway comprising vertically spaced upper and lower reaches and a sloped reach contiguous -at its ends with the adjacent ends of said upper and lower reaches, said upper reach residing in the area of said pit, said guideway including a lip formed by the juncture of said upper reach and said sloped reach;

means adjacent to said upper reach for feeding said bowling ball thereon;

support means projecting through said sloped reach for yieldably supporting said bowling ball at said p;

extrinsic propelling means for forcibly propelling said bowling ball down said sloped reach and along said 1 1 lower reach, said extrinsic propelling means comprising a propelling member and a propelled member, said propelling member being pivotally supported above said upper reach whereby said propelled memher is positionable in alignment with that bowling ball supported on said support means; and unitary raising and lowering means for raising said propelling means out of the path of the next to be returned bowling ball and for lowering said propelling means whereby said propelled member is aligned with and propels the bowling ball supported on said support means. 8. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area;

extrinsic propelling means having ball engaging means which is retractable into an armed condition and releasable for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along the said guideway means;

means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means in advance of said extrinsic propelling means;

support means projecting through said guideway means for yieldably supporting said bowling ball, said support means maintaining said bowling ball in engagement with said ball engaging means of said extrinsic propelling means; and

switch means operable by said bowling ball for arming said extrinsic propelling means.

9. In apparatus for rapidly returning a bowling ball from a pit area to an approach area of a bowling alley, the combination comprising:

guideway means extending from said pit area for returning said bowling ball to said approach area; extrinsic propelling means having ball engaging means 12 which is retractable into an armed condition and releasable for forcibly propelling said bowling ball along said guideway means; means adjacent to said guideway means for feeding said bowling ball onto said guideway means in advance of said extrinsic propelling means; a support means projecting through said guideway means for yieldably supporting said bowling ball, said support means maintaining said bowling ball in engagement with said-ball engaging means of said extrinsic propelling means; and switch means mounted on said support means and operable by said bowling ball when engaged with said support means for arming said extrinsic propelling means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES'PATENTS 1,073,431 9/1913 Makray. 1,911,436 5/1933 Cone 273-43 2,263,702 11/1941 Whittle 273-129 X 2,432,570 12/1947 Gorsuch 273-129 2,709,594 5/1955 Brandell 273-129 X 2,856,911 10/1958 Maxwell 124-11 2,960,977 11/1960 Moorhead 124-11 2,964,318 12/ 1960 Levendoski 273-49 2,969,982 1/1961 Patterson et al. 273-49 2,992,000 7/1961 Congelli 273-49 X 3,108,806 10/1963 Albrecht 273-49 FOREIGN PATENTS 597,919 5/1960 Canada.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner. A. O. OECHSLE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY RETURNING A BOWLING BALL FROM A PIT AREA TO AN APPROACH AREA OF A BOWLING ALLEY, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: GUIDEWAY MEANS EXTENDING FROM SAID PIT AREA FOR RETURNING SAID BOWLING BALL TO SAID APPROACH AREA; MEANS ADJACENT TO SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID BOWLING BALL ONTO SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS; EXTRINSIC PROPELLING MEANS FOR FORCIBLY PROPELLING SAID BOWLING BALL ALONG SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS, SAID PROPELLING MEANS INCLUDING A PROPELLING MEMBER AND A PROPELLED MEMBER COMPRISING A UNITARY STRUCTURE, SAID PROPELLING MEMBER BEING PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ABOVE SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS, SAID PROPELLED MEMBER BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID PROPELLING MEMBER FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BOWLING BALL; AND MEANS OPERABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID BOWLING BALL FOR RAISING SAID EXTRINSIC PROPELLING MEANS OUT OF THE PATH OF SAID BOWLING BALL BEFORE SAID BOWLING BALL IS PROPELLED. 